Combined Hobart Clubs Summer Pennant Series - Race 4
by Jane Austin 23 Nov 2020 06:14 UTC
23 November 2020
Division Four waits for some wind on the River Derwent - Combined Clubs Summer Pennant Series © Jane Austin
Saturday's Combined Clubs Summer Pennant fleet struggled in desperately light winds at the mid-river start in conditions more suited to paddling a kayak than sailing a yacht. Each division limped across the start line, with Excalibur (Duane Pitt) and Pirate's Pride (Peter Masterton) having their patience tested as they battled a two-knot current and no wind, taking an hour to get back to the start line after being across the line before the start. Excalibur eventually retired from the race.
Race Officer Gilbert Leitch was confident in the forecast though, sending the top three divisions to Betsey Island while the Division Four fleet's racecourse took them to White Rock, Blackmans Bay and home. Midnight Rambler (Ed Psaltis) and Frontline (Ian Snape) have consistently shown their class on the water this season, with both boats taking a clean sweep on IRC, AMS and PHS in Division One and Two, respectively.
After a slow start to the race, the fleet reported wind of up to 20 knots on the beat from the Iron Pot to Betsey Island, a good run back to the Pot, and a shy spinnaker reach home, finishing in a 12 to 15 knot southern easterly breeze.
Intrigue (Don Calvert) had a solid day taking second place on all handicaps in Division One. In Division Two, Winstead Wines (Neil Snare) took out second place on PHS, Southern Swordfish (Ian Stewart) took second on AMS and Natelle Two (Glenn Roper) was second on IRC. Off-Piste (Paul Einoder) retired from the race.
The battle for Division Three came down to the wire with Young Lion (Steve Chau) and Invincible (Bryan Walpole) sailing a tactical final leg to the finish line with Young Lion winning on IRC and AMS, and Invincible winning on PHS.
In Division Four, Wayatih (Allan Morgan) won on PHS while Hornet (Neville Georgeson) was first across the line and second on PHS.